Hebrews 12

“Faith is the capacity to trust God while not being able to make sense out of everything.”

 James Kok

The Focus of Our Faith Is Our Lord Jesus Christ:

vv. 1-2

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

1. Faith penetrates doubt . Matthew 15:28

“Then Jesus answered, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”

2. Faith penetrates discouragement . Mark 11:23-24

“I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

“Have faith in your faith  and doubt your doubts.”

 Robert H. Schuller

The Success of Our Faith Is Found in Our Ability to Endure: vv. 3-11

“Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

4″In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

7″Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

1. Faith requires obedience to the will of God. Luke 2:49

“‘Why were you searching for me?’ he asked. ‘Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?'”

2. Faith requires commitment to the work of God. John 5:17

“Jesus said to them, ‘My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.'”

“By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.” (Hebrews 11:27).

The Pursuit of Spiritual Maturity Demands Our Best Effort: vv. 12-13

“Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13‘Make level paths for your feet,’ so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.”

1. We must pray for more faith. Luke 11:9-10

2. We must learn from failure and pain. Hebrews 12:4-10

3. We must focus on fruit bearing . John 15:4-6

 

“The great act of faith is when man decides that he is not God.”

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.